That the Parliament thanks the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for its outstanding work in recently tackling a large forest fire between Fauldhouse, Whitburn and Greenrigg; understands that, at its height, nine appliances and 45 firefighters attended the blaze on Polkemmet Moor, with the firefighters operating for long periods in searing temperatures, and thanks the community for helping keep the crews hydrated and safe with donations of drinks and food.

That the Parliament thanks the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for its outstanding work in recently tackling a large forest fire between Fauldhouse, Whitburn and Greenrigg; understands that, at its height, nine appliances and 45 firefighters attended the blaze on Polkemmet Moor, with the firefighters operating for long periods in searing temperatures, and thanks the community for helping keep the crews hydrated and safe with donations of drinks and food.

That the Parliament commends Jill Russell, who is a P7 pupil Jill Russell from Bathgate, on running a marathon distance in seven days alongside her dad, at a rate of 6 km a day, to raise money for a community food bank; believes that this is an excellent effort to help people in need, and sends Jill its best wishes.

That the Parliament commends Jill Russell, who is a P7 pupil Jill Russell from Bathgate, on running a marathon distance in seven days alongside her dad, at a rate of 6 km a day, to raise money for a community food bank; believes that this is an excellent effort to help people in need, and sends Jill its best wishes.

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Jeremy Balfour, Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd

That the Parliament commends the work of the Larder Training Academy in Livingston during the COVID-19 pandemic; understands that it is working with Home Aid in West Lothian through its Catalyst Kitchen project to distribute meals to people who are experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19; notes that it is delivering 2,800 meals a week after only initially planning to deliver 2,000, and believes that this is an excellent example of community solidarity during these challenging times.

That the Parliament commends the work of the Larder Training Academy in Livingston during the COVID-19 pandemic; understands that it is working with Home Aid in West Lothian through its Catalyst Kitchen project to distribute meals to people who are experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19; notes that it is delivering 2,800 meals a week after only initially planning to deliver 2,000, and believes that this is an excellent example of community solidarity during these challenging times.

Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Jeremy Balfour, Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd

That the Parliament commends Carers of West Lothian on its efforts to provide its core service during the lockdown; understands that the group, which supports unpaid carers and disabled adults, has been providing telephone support, online Zoom peer groups, information advice and counselling to help people through this crisis, and believes that this is an excellent effort to continue to offer the support it provides.

That the Parliament commends Carers of West Lothian on its efforts to provide its core service during the lockdown; understands that the group, which supports unpaid carers and disabled adults, has been providing telephone support, online Zoom peer groups, information advice and counselling to help people through this crisis, and believes that this is an excellent effort to continue to offer the support it provides.

That the Parliament notes the concerns outlined by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Black Workers Committee regarding social, economic and health inequalities that it considers have been exposed by coronavirus pandemic; understands that black and minority ethnic (BAME) people are overrepresented in the "at-risk" communities that have been identified by the Scottish Government, therefore highlighting long-standing inequalities faced by the BAME community in accessing and health services and treatment; further understands that BAME groups are more likely to fall into the key worker category and therefore are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19, as well as issues around protection in the workplace and access to PPE; believes that, on average, BAME workers are likelier to be paid less than their white counterparts; calls on the Scottish Government to analyse and produce the disaggregated data on the number of deaths in the BAME community as a result of COVID-19, and asks that it additionally produces an action plan to tackle what it sees as the systemic inequalities faced by BAME groups that have been brought acutely to the fore by the coronavirus pandemic.

That the Parliament notes the concerns outlined by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Black Workers Committee regarding social, economic and health inequalities that it considers have been exposed by coronavirus pandemic; understands that black and minority ethnic (BAME) people are overrepresented in the "at-risk" communities that have been identified by the Scottish Government, therefore highlighting long-standing inequalities faced by the BAME community in accessing and health services and treatment; further understands that BAME groups are more likely to fall into the key worker category and therefore are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19, as well as issues around protection in the workplace and access to PPE; believes that, on average, BAME workers are likelier to be paid less than their white counterparts; calls on the Scottish Government to analyse and produce the disaggregated data on the number of deaths in the BAME community as a result of COVID-19, and asks that it additionally produces an action plan to tackle what it sees as the systemic inequalities faced by BAME groups that have been brought acutely to the fore by the coronavirus pandemic.

That the Parliament wishes Flora Campbell from Fauldhouse a happy 101st birthday; understands that, although Flora was unable to celebrate the occasion in the way that she wanted, her friends and Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Community Development Trust made sure that her birthday was one to remember, and sends Flora its best wishes.

That the Parliament wishes Flora Campbell from Fauldhouse a happy 101st birthday; understands that, although Flora was unable to celebrate the occasion in the way that she wanted, her friends and Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Community Development Trust made sure that her birthday was one to remember, and sends Flora its best wishes.

That the Parliament congratulates the outgoing West Lothian College Student President, Michelle Low, and Vice President, Gemma Reynolds on securing jobs in third sector organisations; recognises the huge achievements of both over the last two years in addressing student poverty and improving student mental health and wellbeing in partnership with the college and external partners; acknowledges that these efforts and more contributed to West Lothian College Student Association being named college student association of the year in 2019 by NUS (Scotland), and wishes them both success in their new careers.

That the Parliament congratulates the outgoing West Lothian College Student President, Michelle Low, and Vice President, Gemma Reynolds on securing jobs in third sector organisations; recognises the huge achievements of both over the last two years in addressing student poverty and improving student mental health and wellbeing in partnership with the college and external partners; acknowledges that these efforts and more contributed to West Lothian College Student Association being named college student association of the year in 2019 by NUS (Scotland), and wishes them both success in their new careers.

That the Parliament commends the work of the West Lothian Youth Action Project during the current pandemic; understands that the Project has been helping families, older people and those living in isolation in the Craigshill area of Livingston with vital food supplies, and believes that this is an excellent community initiative to help vulnerable people during the pandemic.

That the Parliament commends the work of the West Lothian Youth Action Project during the current pandemic; understands that the Project has been helping families, older people and those living in isolation in the Craigshill area of Livingston with vital food supplies, and believes that this is an excellent community initiative to help vulnerable people during the pandemic.

That the Parliament commends the work of the Boghall Drop-In during the current pandemic; understands that the volunteers are feeding hundreds of people every day with hot and cold lunches alongside handing out groceries, and believes that this is an excellent example of community spirit during these challenging times.

That the Parliament commends the work of the Boghall Drop-In during the current pandemic; understands that the volunteers are feeding hundreds of people every day with hot and cold lunches alongside handing out groceries, and believes that this is an excellent example of community spirit during these challenging times.

That the Parliament commends The Tower Bar in Craigshill on supporting the local community during lockdown; understands that the pub has set up an action group, which has been doing shopping, getting prescriptions and doing emergency repairs for older and vulnerable people, with electricians, plumbers, joiners, a mechanic and taxi drivers donating their time and skills for free, and believes that this is an excellent community initiative organised by the local pub.

That the Parliament commends The Tower Bar in Craigshill on supporting the local community during lockdown; understands that the pub has set up an action group, which has been doing shopping, getting prescriptions and doing emergency repairs for older and vulnerable people, with electricians, plumbers, joiners, a mechanic and taxi drivers donating their time and skills for free, and believes that this is an excellent community initiative organised by the local pub.

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that its senior managers have been awarded pay rises of up to 12%, and whether these were negotiated with the respective staff trade unions.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 19/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that its senior managers have been awarded pay rises of up to 12%, and whether these were negotiated with the respective staff trade unions.

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29035 by Jeane Freeman on 4 June 2020, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how many (a) hotel (i)) staff and (ii) residents who were not attendees at the conference and (b) shop workers, bar workers, taxi drivers and others whom the delegates might have been in contact with, were contact-tested.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 18/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29035 by Jeane Freeman on 4 June 2020, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how many (a) hotel (i)) staff and (ii) residents who were not attendees at the conference and (b) shop workers, bar workers, taxi drivers and others whom the delegates might have been in contact with, were contact-tested.

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish an action plan on health, social and economic inequalities experienced by black and minority ethnic (BAME) people, which have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 17/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish an action plan on health, social and economic inequalities experienced by black and minority ethnic (BAME) people, which have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is still considering implementing self-testing kits for cervical screenings and, if so, what its position is on whether these are viable, in light of the reported difficulties in carrying out the procedure.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 16/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is still considering implementing self-testing kits for cervical screenings and, if so, what its position is on whether these are viable, in light of the reported difficulties in carrying out the procedure.

To ask the Scottish Government when it considers it will be safe to fully resume cervical screening tests and, in light of reports that many tests are overdue because of the COVID-19 lockdown, what action it will take to deal with the backlog.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 16/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it considers it will be safe to fully resume cervical screening tests and, in light of reports that many tests are overdue because of the COVID-19 lockdown, what action it will take to deal with the backlog.

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-28170 by Jeane Freeman on 1 June 2020, and in light of its COVID-19 Advisory Group being established after it made the decision on or around 12 March 2020 to end its test, trace and isolate approach, whether it will publish the scientific evidence on which it based its decision to not roll out community testing for COVID-19, and for what reason it did not provide this information in its answer.

Current Status: Expected Answer date 16/06/2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-28170 by Jeane Freeman on 1 June 2020, and in light of its COVID-19 Advisory Group being established after it made the decision on or around 12 March 2020 to end its test, trace and isolate approach, whether it will publish the scientific evidence on which it based its decision to not roll out community testing for COVID-19, and for what reason it did not provide this information in its answer.

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